Vintage Cottage Weekend: Wild Victorian Wreath

Hi Friends, today I'm sharing a wonderful wreath that's a bit of a different take on a natural look for Spring. This is the perfect time of year to look to nature and the outdoors for our decor inspiration. What we might see in a leisurely country walk; bird nests, vines, wildflowers, and moss all come together here with an antique wooden frame for a wild and beautiful Victorian look.

Spring Inspiration with Mossy, Woodsy Things

No matter where we live, I think we all feel like the days after Valentine's Day allow us a little shift in our thinking. We may still be in the midst of winter and cold weather, but our optimistic hearts and minds tend to want to give permission to thoughts of warmer weather and "Spring". 

Nature's Wild Victorian Wreath

After all the vibrant color of Easter decor, right now I needed to see something that speaks of nature for springtime. Bunnies and eggs and whimsical pieces that filled my cupboard earlier in the month have given way to some neutral elements and the idea of letting "nature" take her wild and beautiful approach.

Sunflower Botanical Cloche

I have several cloches that I keep on the Buffet in the Dining Room, and even though they usually have the same basic elements of nests, birds, and woodsy things, I like to give them a mini update with florals and seasonal elements.

                      

Spring Forecast for Next Week

No matter what the weather might be like on the other side of the door; one week in the 80's with trees and flowers blooming, the next week lows in the upper teens ... it's Spring inside the cottage. I thought I'd share a few snaps of how Spring has Sprung this last week...

Fall's First Glimpse

I've been thinking about Fall...

no surprise, huh?

I know some of you enjoy Fall, 

but you want to squeeze every ounce out of Summer.

When our kiddos are young and at home,

summer is a special time of adventure and relaxation.

But, I've always been the type of person that comes alive 

in the crisp air of Autumn.

The blue of the sky is different,

the angle of the light has changed.

The trees get ready to put on a show, 

that thrills my soul to experience.

Autumn rejuvenates me;

it gives me back the energy that the heat of Summer drains away

I'm ready...

It's a "bird" thing...

...and it happens every Spring.

It was time for a sideboard "refresh" after Easter and I've been antsy to get my Pier 1 scroll-y chalkboard in place. The bunnies are all put back to bed, and this time I know where to find them. All tucked into their see-thru giant plastic tub in the basement storage room. sweet dreams...

After Easter I always go to my nature/bird/nesting theme.

I thought I wanted just a plain (gee, that's not a word that I use often) and simple sideboard vignette, but I should have known that once I had things in place that I'd be looking for something else to slap up here for more visual interest.

So I found a couple of my unframed vintage bird prints and a few of my paper play things from last year. I loved paper dolls when I was little, now it's "paper birds". I'm addicted I tell ya...

These little sweeties are cut from an old torn up bird book and mod podged onto an old dictionary page. Then framed in an antique photo album page. Click here to see the original post I did on them.

Don't you just love an ill placed 80's doorbell (below, upper right) 

for some shiny hallway fun? yuck.

An old French Ironstone tureen and English platter are my staples,

that I brought in from the Dining Room buffet.

time to mix things up.

Then I brought in these little ivy topiaries from the Living Room sofa table,

 for something a little different.

I just found a new preserved boxwood wreath too, so that may go here in place of this mossy/twiggy one. Now that the birdies are hanging around it looks a little "busy". (I whined last Christmas Season about a boxwood wreath for weeks. none to be found under a $100.)

So here's the Hallway Sideboard... for awhile anyway.

You never know what you'll find in here.

Thanks for coming by to visit!

joining these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Blissful Whites from Timewashed

From My Front Porch to Yours

No Minimalist Here

Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Stone Gable

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

Shabby Art Boutique

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

Funky Junk Interiors

I'm joining in with all of you, sending our love and prayers for Boston, and for those whose lives are forever changed by the tragic event at the Marathon. 

The Skinny on Spring Wreaths

Each new season you'll find me fiddling with silk flowers and putting together wreaths, and this weekend I've been working on one for the front porch. But finding one that will fit is always a problem. Most of the time I just give up and go with a bunch of silk branches or flowers for the large wicker cone that's on the side of the front porch.

But last year we had an upset with some little finches that wanted to make a nest in the cone with my faux flowers. I thought I had managed to escape having to leave out green poinsettias until May...but no. They were all over that wonderful spot. So when I was able to hijack their plans, or so I thought, a nest of little eggs were dashed on the front porch concrete by accident. Well, birdie lover that I am, I felt horrible and realized that I would have to do better this next nesting season. 

That meant NO WICKER CONE!!!!

(said in the tone of Mommie Dearest's "NO WIRE HANGERS!!")

Here's a pic from last Fall so you can see the problem;

Lovely nesting spot in the white cone to the left.

 Please excuse the pumpkins,

but you can see what I mean.

...the perfect, out of the way, nesting spot.

You can also see my dilemma with my finding a wreath for the door. It's one of those glass storm doors, that only give you a few inches to work with. So if I put a wreath on the door, it has to be super skinny!

So, here's a better shot of my make-do creation, 

hanging on a recent purchase from Pier 1.

That naughty Nita, made me go out and buy this...

Isn't this blackboard just so cute and scrolly?

I have plans for it on the sideboard in the hall after Easter.

 OK, so back to my wreath dilemma...

I found a skimpy one in my stash, with white berries,

(Michael's for about 8 bucks)

which works for Christmas or Spring,

but it was too blah,

and needed something else...

like a twig or two of forsythia and a nest.

Just grabbed a few extra goodies from the flower bin and wired them on.

I think this may have saved the day.

Joining in on these great parties:

Savvy Southern Style

Cozy Little House

Mod Vintage Life

Creative Cain Cabin

Cedar Hill Ranch

The Dedicated House

Coastal Charm

French Country Cottage

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xoxo,

Tell me it's almost Spring...

It may be snowing outside, but it's 

Spring on the Mantel.

I'm a little tired of the gray skies and frigid weather, and

I needed a lighter Springy-er feel here in the Living Room,

so "some-bunnies" came out to play.

I kept my half-urn vases, 

but changed out the darker florals for a mass of Spring Tulips.

My Little Velveteen Rabbit;

He may be getting ready for a nibble...

 I love this little "smile".

Center stage is a framed Die-Cut Calendar base from the early twenties. 

Love the cottage feel of Spring.

This little German Glass Glitter Bunny

has started to change around his muzzle.

...a few old clay flower pots and nests 

for the bunnies to romp around,

makes it feel like we'll be playing in the garden, soon.

Once the daffodils and tulips poke their little green shoots up,

I'm ready to start thinking

Spring!

How about you?

and if you're interested, here is last year's Spring Mantel .

I'll be joining in for these parties:

Table top Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life

Between Naps on the Porch

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

TTT at Stone Gable

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

From My Front Porch to Yours

French Country Cottage

Craftberry Bush

Shabby Art Boutique

Rooted in Thyme

Power of Pinterest

If you're needing a good dose of Spring,

then hop on over and visit Becky and her sweet Easter goodies

at Timewashed.

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday #32

(This post is from the Spring, but I love doing Magazine Inspired projects,

if you're new here, I hope you'll click on new posts!

I'm joining Debbie at Blogging and Babbing

xoxo Debra)

It seems like I've been all about flowers and floral arrangements lately.

I guess that's what "Spring" does to me...

I just love to incorporate the colors of nature back into life.

pinks, yellows, lavenders...

and of course green.

And combine that with Easter coming up,

then I want an extravaganza of blooming beauty.

The watering can and umbrella are both hanging,

but I put together one of my watering cans with some faux silks

 and have it setting in my sunroom so I can enjoy the view.

My love for lambs and sheep is showing here

with this precious little children's book,

Little Lamb's Hat

Don't you love the eyebrows on this little guy?

(do bunnies have eyebrows?)

Each season I love to change out my sunroom quilts and decor.

Last year I found this wonderful old quilt with all the colors of Spring,

More Sunroom next week!

And here are a few entries from last week!

A Rosy Note

Tulips and More

(a new linky photo party)

Erin's Art and Gardens

Doilie Bowls

(don't these look like a bunch of little butterflies?)

612 Riverside

Vintage Trophy Ribbons

The Feathered Nest

Happy Spring

And the winner from the VIF participants

Give Away is:

Linda from Itsy Bits and Pieces

Thanks so much to all of you who participate and support

Vintage Inspiration Friday!!

Please grab my party button for your post and sidebar.

Hope you can join in;

anything vintage or vintage inspired!

I'm linking up with these parties today,

drop by for a visit if you can.

Have a great weekend!

love you all,

Debra